Chapter 3: The Girl With The Green Eyes

On a Tuesday in late October, Luke's easy living took the first hit. The day had gone really well so far and promised to get better. He and his father had finally convinced a major Japanese producer of optical instruments to bundle their microscope camera systems with the ImaXX M software package. The deal was worth only seven million dollars on paper, but it was a breakthrough for they had never got a foot into the Japanese market before.

Luke was elated and when Stella called him at five p.m. he told her the good news before she could even have her say. Finally, she was able to get in what she had called about.

"Luke, I can be in San Jose tonight. Think we can have dinner together?"

"That's great! We can celebrate. You wanna come to my house?"

"Could we go out, please? I have some news, too. Let's meet at Lorenzo's? Say, at eight?"

Slightly piqued, Luke agreed. This was unusual, but then again with Stella in town he might get in some real celebration.

Unusual for her, Stella was on time and already waiting at the reserved table. She seemed apprehensive to Luke, and his elation over the successful day waned a little as he instinctively understood what this dinner was about.

They ordered from the menu and while the waiter was looking after their drinks, Stella put a hand on Luke's arm.

"Luke, darling, we had quite a shock today at the studio. Aaron Feinstein had a massive coronary last night."

Luke had met the man at a studio party. If he remembered correctly, Feinstein had been a producer for the New York studio of the network. The bad news could be an explanation for Stella's mood.

"Oh shit. We met him, when? In April?"

Stella nodded. "They've asked me to fill in for Aaron. He won't be back for months, maybe never. Luke, they offered me the New York posting."

Okay, that was definitely bad news for Luke. He was sad and relieved at the same time. Stella was not dumping him for another man, but she would be gone all the same.

"I take it you plan to accept?"

"I have to! Luke, this may be my one chance. John Han is tied up in London and Maggie Stone is on maternity leave. Those two would have been first choice."

Luke put on a brave face. "You never led me on, Stella. You always told me it would happen one day. I can't say I'm happy about it because that would be a lie, but it's a great chance for you, and you should grab it. Congrats, Darling."

Stella's eyes were brimming a little by now. "If things were different in Burbank I might wait, but things here are pretty much set against me for the foreseeable future. I hate what this will do to us, but I can't let this slip away."

"When?"

"I'm taking the red-eye tonight. Oh, Luke! I'm sorry. There's not even time for a farewell night. I'm already packed. You know what: come visit me in two or three weeks! We'll have a grand weekend in New York!"

That brought a weak smile to Luke's lips. Stella was a very enthusiastic lover. The thought of one last weekend spent with her was tempting.

"But after that, we'll call it quits?"

Stella sighed heavily. "I'll not lie to you. These things never work out. You have your work here and I'll have mine. Schedules are bound to interfere. Luke, I loved the time we had, and I'd like to end it with love, not with one of us feeling betrayed. You know me. I'll go stir crazy after a while, and then I might do something that'll hurt you." Her hand touched his cheek. "I care too much for you to make promises I can't keep."

Luke nodded and exhaled. "Fair enough. Thanks for being so honest. I'll miss you. They did not make many like you."

"I'll miss you, too. Will you think about coming for a visit?"

Again, Luke nodded. "Can you keep your urges under control for two or three weeks?" he smiled receiving a slap for an answer.

"I'm not that needy."

"How will you get to the airport?"

"I'll take a cab."

"Want me to drive you?"

"No. It's hard enough as it is. Let's just have dinner, okay?"

Luke nodded a third time. "I understand."

°°°

"Why so mopey?" Erwin Braun asked his son who sat in the passenger seat staring morosely ahead. It was Erwin's turn to drive.

"Stella broke up with me yesterday. She got this new job in New York. I mean, I knew it would happen one day, but..."

"Yeah, I get you. It's a bummer. I liked the girl."

"Me too," Luke smirked. "Oh well, I better buck up."

"So, whatcha gonna do tonight? Want me to come over?"

"Why don't you. It's Halloween. Let's put a scare into all the trick'n treaters."

Erwin Braun's eyes lit up. He was an overgrown kid much like his son.

"Yeah, why don't we. Let's rustle up a few things over the day. With the Habayashi contract signed, we can goof off for a day or two. Let's call in and sign out. We can drive into San Francisco to that store near the piers. They used to have those used film props."

In spite of himself, Luke had to laugh. Yeah, why not have some harmless fun? He grinned evilly thinking of those snotty neighborhood kids. Let them pay for their treat in screams!

An hour later saw them at the store. They found what they were looking for, and while Erwin was waiting for their purchases to be totaled, Luke wandered off into the costume section. He picked an impressive wizard costume and prepared to head for the check-out when something caught his eye.

There was an older man with a very young girl who was trying on a witch costume. Probably the man's granddaughter. She looked adorable, with strawberry blonde hair tied into two braids, and a wide, happy smile on her face. Hearing Luke she turned around and looked at him.

Luke stood mesmerized. The girl had pale-green eyes, witches eyes, that fixated him unwaveringly. The little girl seemed to look deep into Luke's soul while he stared back at her as if in trance. He felt sweat break out all over his back and a strong yearning to hug the girl. He shook himself awake. Get a grip! he scolded himself. The girl smiled at him and turned back to her grandfather. Luke decided to make his escape before the old man saw his look and thrashed him. Once again, he shook himself. He had never before felt drawn towards a kid. He balled his fists. Good God! Was he one of those terrible people who stalked children? Again and again, he told himself that he wasn't. He had met many children in the last years, the kids of coworkers and of friends. Anna's two kids. No, he never felt the urge to hug them. He shuddered, swearing to himself that he would seek help if this ever happened to him again.